Vince Vaughn Comments On Gay 'Dilemma'

EXCLUSIVE: Universal Pictures pulled the “gay” joke out of the trailer for the Ron Howard directed comedy The Dilemma. While the studio hasn’t declared whether it will pull the line out of the movie under pressure from GLAAD, the film’s star, Vince Vaughn, has weighed in with a comment that indicates he’d like the joke to stay. Said Vaughn: “Let me add my voice of support to the people outraged by the bullying and persecution of people for their differences, whatever those differences may be. Comedy and joking about our differences breaks tension and brings us together. Drawing dividing lines over what we can and cannot joke about does exactly that; it divides us. Most importantly, where does it stop.”

229 Comments

FrancoisTrueFaux • on Oct 14, 2010 3:20 pm

But taking a paycheck for reciting the line is OK? This is a little too late to be genuine. Why was this not voiced when you signed onto the project? Where was this conviction when you were in production? I smell damage control.

Anonymous • on Oct 14, 2010 3:36 pm

I don’t know that you understood his comment. He likes the joke and wants it.

Snowman • on Oct 14, 2010 8:49 pm

His comment can apply to the adult world the problem is this does not trickle down to kids and schoolyards.

“Comedy and joking about our differences breaks tension and brings us together” just does not happen at the elementary/high school level. He seems to ignore that all of this bullying is happening to kids who are not mature enough to say “words do not hurt.”

Any kid that endures taunting will tell you “one day” is torture try for weeks, months or years. I seriously wonder if Vaughn has ever been teased or bullied in his life and if so…was it over his being perceived gay? Did it go on for long? Life is tough enough for kids these days from all the peer pressure and I believe that removing this line of dialog in not censorship it is out of respect for those kids who go to school in fear. Why isn’t that enough of a reason to consider just changing the line to “lame” and move on? The condoning of this line by adults is quickly adopted by kids because “adults” say it so it must be ok.
My 2 sense worth

Neil H. • on Oct 15, 2010 10:29 am

This is getting ridiculous. It’s just one perfectly harmless and inoffensive line, and some of you pecksniffs are trying to make it into some sort of horrendous, insulting, humiliating, life-destroying ordeal for homosexuals. GROW UP.

Vince Vaughn is exactly right. The line should stay. If we start taking out every little innocuous line because some far-too-easily-offended person or group complains about it, where will that stop? Some of these complainers need to get over themselves.

Tim • on Oct 15, 2010 12:48 pm

A few life observations:

Bullying exists. It sucks. It should be stopped whenever possible, but people bully other people whether it should be stopped or not. How much can any society control behavior that is hard-wired into human nature?

Kids can be cruel. Kids are often cruel. You can tell kids not to torment or taunt a sibling or an acquaintance. You might gain momentary control, if you are dealing with a person who has a fair amount of self-control and compassion. On the schoolyard, how often does this really happen? In the adult world, how often does this happen? Certain people don’t get it and won’t get it. We can’t lock all of them up.

The expression used in the movie trailer was originated by kids ages ago. I overheard it at my kids’ grade school over a dozen years ago. It’s not the only insulting expression kids and adults use today. In my generation, degrading comments about others were in the vernacular. Seems to me, literature through the ages is full of this, too. Maybe this is the way people try to enforce social order. Adults could model better communication between each other, but when will that f*n happen? And isn’t language in film and literature supposed to reflect life, whether we like that vision or not?

I agree that awareness of boorish and demeaning language and behavior is a good thing. Schools and others around young people should take bullying complaints seriously. But the simple approach will often ward off most personal offenses. The nursery rhyme, “sticks and stones” does wonders in putting offensive language in its place. And it helps kids develop a backbone that tells them that the problem is the verbalizers, not theirs. We should do more to teach kids who get picked on ways to deal with verbal barbs. The best comedians learn early on how to put hecklers in their place. Knowing how to use language defensively saved me and my friends from more than a few pummelings.

Perhaps the line doesn’t belong in the trailer, but otherwise, all of this noise about it just re-invigorated an expression that seemed to be dying out on the schoolyard. By the time adults use popular sayings, kids are typically inventing something different.

seemee • on Oct 15, 2010 2:02 pm

So, with that logic, every movie out there that may increase taunting in schools should be excised.

What kind of a snowball would that create, Snowman?

Damien • on Oct 14, 2010 3:40 pm

You obviously didn’t read the whole quote. His point is you should still be able to joke about controversial issues and censoring comedy is a bad idea.

Hot Carl • on Oct 14, 2010 3:48 pm

I think you need to re-read the statement. If you still don’t get it have someone explain it to you slowly.

FauxTrueFrancois • on Oct 14, 2010 3:50 pm

Did you read what he said?

Chard • on Oct 14, 2010 3:51 pm

wow.. I guess you didn’t really read his quote.

AfterwardDeified • on Oct 14, 2010 4:10 pm

Are you mental? What part of “Comedy and joking about our differences breaks tension and brings us together. Drawing dividing lines over what we can and cannot joke about does exactly that; it divides us. Most importantly, where does it stop” do you not understand. COMEDY SHOULD BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OFFENDER! Enough with this liberal garbage.

rc • on Oct 15, 2010 12:24 pm

let me ‘splain something to you
if vaughn’s joke were, ‘electric cars are so hetero…’ would it be funny?
no
it is only funny if he attacks a small group that is used to ridicule
he’s just too old to be making comedies for young people
these guys need to step aside
they’re not ‘smart’ funny
they’re ‘old’ funny
a younger comedian wouldn’t even bother with that line
it’s not creative

Anonymous • on Oct 15, 2010 4:32 pm

Yes, it might, if he playing a LGBT character talking about, say, a minivan or something similarly silly related to family life. It’d be a great line to use when dissing a gay couple’s choice for their family. Use your imagination, remember, NOH8.

LiberalsLaughToo • on Oct 16, 2010 5:36 am

Besides the “joke” not being funny, it was not appropriate for a general audience preview.

It’s not “liberal” to be concerned that Hollywood studios put out messages that young people get influenced by.

Conservatives and religious people cry foul all the time: “Hollywood is anti-Christian! Hollywood thinks it’s okay for black comedians to pick on ‘whitey.’ Hollywood rams the homosexual agenda down our throat. Hollywood is pushing drugs and sex on our children!!!”

Vaughn has his own perspective, but in this case, the language is crafted to make ‘gay’ people and ‘gay’ things seem undesirable, stupid, and weak. Why should gay people put up with that all the time?

jm • on Oct 14, 2010 4:12 pm

He is saying he is outraged by bullying and persecution of people, NOT that he is outraged about the line, which he thinks should stay in the film.

VinceYawn • on Oct 14, 2010 4:12 pm

“Comedy and joking about our differences breaks tension and brings us together. Drawing dividing lines over what we can and cannot joke about does exactly that; it divides us. Most importantly, where does it stop.”

He’s saying comedy should not be censored – I agree. In this case, people took the joke out of context and were a bit too sensitive.

flyboy • on Oct 14, 2010 7:05 pm

Took the joke out of context, huh? Can you tell me how you take saying “electric cars are so gay” out of context? Or the ORIGINAL script which said “real men don’t buy electric cars”? What exactly is there to take out of context?

And yes, people are sensitive. When kids have been bullied, attacked and committed suicide because of their sexuality on an every day basis these past weeks, we SHOULD be sensitive to this issue and the reasons why terms like these are unacceptable. Sometimes sensitivity and respect is the way to go.

Whazup • on Oct 15, 2010 8:22 am

As opposed to all the others kids who are bullied for their race, weight, religion, or even looks? What makes gay kids so special? Kids get bullied for anything remotely uncool… Not to say it’s right but it’s a fact of life…

Run-DMS • on Oct 15, 2010 8:57 am

Look, I’ll try to explain this for your understanding: Vince Vaughn is playing a character in this movie. Maybe his character is a bit of a doofus or a knob, or a similar term might apply instead. Whatever. The point is, he’s NOT PERFECT. He’s not a genius. He’s not a paragon of some great virtue. When he says electric cars are gay, that’s in line with his character being imperfect. People can laugh at what a stupid thing that is for him to say. Get it?

Same principles apply to the comedy of Sarah Silverman, by the way: She says stupid things, and therein lies the funny.

anonymous • on Oct 15, 2010 9:14 am

Interesting to see that ‘flyboy’ has commented over 30 times here. The large majority of the remainder of those who have posted clearly agree that the joke is not offensive.

Jenn Gomez • on Oct 15, 2010 12:14 pm

Vaughn is playing a character who is obviously not sensitive how people may feel about using the gay as a negative. Vaughn however, is not saying he agrees with his character. Understanding the difference between what a character in a fictional world represents vs the actor playing the character is the key problem here.

People like the character he plays really exist in the world. They are the ones you should be mad at. I don’t remember hearing that movies with racist comments be edited so as not to offend anyone. Comments which can be equally offensive and hurtful depending on what’s being said.

I know plenty of people who misuse the term gay when referring to something they think is stupid. Is it right? NO. Do I tell them about it? YES. But there is only so much you can censor, people will be people.

seemee • on Oct 15, 2010 2:09 pm

Yes… we should VERY DEFINITELY be sensitive to this issue of ‘kids being bullied, attacked and committed suicide because of their sexuality’…. but ONLY because of these ‘past weeks’.

Next week, when fat kids start committing suicide because of bullying then we’ll start becoming sensitive about fat jokes.

So…which line do we draw? When do we draw it and for how long?

And if we draw one line…how many other lines then get drawn?

If ‘sensitivity and respect is the way to go’, I’m not sure you fully understand the industry.

IM • on Oct 14, 2010 4:17 pm

Maybe you should reread what he said. He’s not voicing his displeasure with the dialogue (which was most likely his improv) but rather coming out against the rallying cry to silence freedom of speech.

flyboy • on Oct 14, 2010 7:06 pm

Freedom of speech, huh? Like my freedom of speech to go on national TV and call for the death of Vince Vaughn?

Oh yeah, I wouldn’t get away with that. What do you know, there are consequences for your speech. And words have power. Yeah, what would you know.

Martin • on Oct 14, 2010 9:47 pm

I, like most Americans, am largely ambivalent towards the gay community. What happens behind closed doors between two men and a gerbil is none of my concern — go with God. Enjoy. But when you tell me what I can and can’t laugh at — we have a problem. It’s a joke — don’t laugh at it and move on with your life. “Electric cars are gay” offends you?!! Seriously? Or are you just looking for a fight regardless of merit? See, now you’re offending me and I am a much needed vote on important issues like gay marriage and you’re losing me. My advice is pick you battles. Vince is 1000% right.

obviously • on Oct 15, 2010 9:28 am

You, sir, are an idiot.

No one’s telling you what you can or can’t laugh at. You used an offensive gerbil-stereotype joke that I won’t be laughing at, nor will I berate you for. The issue is over derogatory terms used for a class of citizens. Basically “Gay” shouldn’t be used to describe anything other than homosexual people. But in our society it’s slang for anything that is stupid or uncool or whatever. The issue therein is that the use of the slang “gay” originally stems from gay meaning homosexual. So, in a way, calling something gay is insinuating that being gay is stupid or uncool. So, every time you use the slang version of gay, you’re continuing that subliminal message of hatred or disdain to gay people. Which gets people upset.

“Electric cars are so Martin.”

Seriously • on Oct 15, 2010 9:47 am

Well, I am sure that loads of minorities are very grateful for your ambivalence. How truly generous you and “most” Americans are in tolerating people who aren’t like you.

Then again, someone who believes gay sex involves domesticated rodents, probably is too ignorant to notice that if they truly were the “moral majority” then their beliefs wouldn’t be laughed at and ridiculed on a near constant basis without generating the same kind of outrage.

I think that it would have been far funnier if Vince had said, “Electric cars ain’t Christian, they’re witchcraft.”

Maybe, you’re all busy praying that religious intolerance will just go away. I think that as long as intolerance of any kind continues though, those prayers will go unanswered and in the end, no one’s right to choose how they live will be respected.

Neil H. • on Oct 15, 2010 10:42 am

Martin is exactly right, and so is Vince Vaughn. If any homosexual is offended by the line, I sure wish he or she would explain exactly what it is about it that they find offensive. Read the whole line. It isn’t even ABOUT homosexuality, it’s simply Vaughn’s character explaining that he’s using the word “gay” in its original sense, and not meaning homosexual.

This whole line of complaint is simply ridiculous, and if anything shows that some people have too little or no really important stuff to be concerned about.

Hobbled • on Oct 15, 2010 10:52 am

Well put, Martin!

Martin • on Oct 15, 2010 11:50 am

Seriously,

I respect your right to live you life how you choose. Why can’t you respect my right to live my life how I choose? I’m ambivalent towards your lifestyle. It’s like NASCAR. I don’t understand that “sport” at all and I will never watch it. I’m not suggest beating everyone up involved with NASCAR or banning it. I ignore it. Go live your gay life — I have no problem with that. That’s what makes America great — you’re free to do your thing and I’m free to do mine. The problem comes when you insist that I take you to my bosom and love you. Or when you try and tell me how I should live my life, what I can laugh at, what I can say. Get over it.

barryearle • on Oct 15, 2010 12:06 pm

Earlier this year I was teaching a group of at-risk young men at a youth detention center. One made a similar “that’s so gay” comment. I asked him what that meant. After hemming and hawing he finally admitted that it was an anti-gay comment, that anything that is too gay is not acceptable, too effeminate. (One could say that not only is this a anti-gay comment but anti-female, too.) It’s not such a big leap from “an electric car is gay” to that person over there is too gay. The next step is bullying followed by some kind of acceptable violence because, as well all know, the too gay person is not a real human being.

Given that Mr. Vaughn has at least one gay “joke” in his films (I found the gay panic scene in The Wedding Crashers particularly egregious) I’m not surprised his newest film also has one. Unfortunately, if gay suicides were not currently in the news I doubt this joke would even be an issue. That’s how innured we are about the negative effect of such “humor.” But it is still sad that this “adult” actor needs to denigrate a whole community in order to get a laugh. Maybe in his next film he will switch gears and have a few anti-Black/Hispanic/Asian jokes. Oh, wait! He doesn’t joke about racism in his films, only gays. I guess he never asks himself why it’s okay to joke about gays but not other minorities. Ignorance is bliss.

seemee • on Oct 15, 2010 2:13 pm

Seriously? Seriously. “As long as intolerance of any kind continues…those prayers will go unanswered and in the end, no one’s right to choose how they live will be respected.” Seriously?

Intolerance of ANY kind?

ANY?

Really?

Seriously?

Have you thought about this? Or does this kind of rhetoric work for your particular brand of grandstanding?

reader • on Oct 15, 2010 12:54 am

freedom of speech does not allow you to use a public forum to call for the harm (especially not the death of) another person.

just because words have consequences doesn’t forbid us from expressing ourselves, provided that we stay within the government’s definition of protected free speech. vince’s line in the movie clearly does, as does his defense of it. you just don’t have to like it.

BRosen • on Oct 15, 2010 6:46 am

Actually, if you knew anything about communications law, you’d know that calling electric cars gay in a fiction film IS completely protected by the first amendment, but calling for the death of anyone in particular is completely unprotected speech. look it up.

Read-It-Again • on Oct 14, 2010 4:18 pm

I think you missed the point. He is saying that having comedy and joking about differences is acceptable. To demand censorship of offensive material based on people’s differences is a slippery slope, where the line will be re-drawn everytime someone yells “foul!” I don’t read anything in what he said to say otherwise.

flyboy • on Oct 14, 2010 7:16 pm

And I think you missed the point. Making a joke of people in how they identify as is not acceptable and is one of the main causes of the same abuse that Vince Vaughn says he again. And the real slippery slope is saying that’s it’s OK to make a joke of gay people, what wouldn’t be acceptable? Because right now, it certainly isn’t acceptable to use the N-word, call women wh*res who should be in the kitchen making men sandwiches, and we can go further. It’s ONLY acceptable to make fun of gay people, the word gay, gay sexuality. It is NOT acceptable to make a joke of other individuals.

Neil H. • on Oct 15, 2010 10:47 am

The line is NOT “making a joke of people in how they identify as (blah blah blah).” It is not making a joke about people AT ALL. Read the whole line. It is just the Vince Vaughn character clarifying his use of the word “gay.” Nothing more. It has nothing to do with homosexual people.

Sheesh.

barryearle • on Oct 15, 2010 12:16 pm

It has nothing to do with being gay?! Then what does the word “gay” mean in this joke? That the car is too happy? Maybe the joke should have been “Electric cars are too happy.” Wait. That doesn’t make any sense. Let’s use “gay” instead. Everyone knows what we mean *wink *wink. Pleeeese. This joke has everything to do with being gay and the audience’s understanding that gay means “not masculine,” “not butch enough,” “not manly.” Otherwise, there’s no joke.

Anti-gay sentiment is so ingrained in our consciousness that we can’t even see it when it’s right in front of our face or, worse, coming out of our own mouths.

ThatsConvenient • on Oct 15, 2010 12:42 pm

Actually, it is about gay people, you just don’t get it. It would be like saying some pansy m-fer “is so Vince,” which is the same thing as saying Vince is a pansy, m-fer… which he is, for using the line and then pulling out some trite after-the-fact BS about bringing people together through comedy. blah blah blah. He would never say, “that guy over there is so black” or “you’re being so jewish right now, man up.” Why? Because it’s wrong. So stop excusing the gay bashing that is killing children.

“It’s ONLY acceptable to make fun of gay people…”????
“It’s NOT acceptable to make a joke of other individuals”????

Do you even read this stuff before you push send?

J • on Oct 14, 2010 4:26 pm

I am pretty sure he is saying he supports the joke.

FrancoisTrueFaux • on Oct 14, 2010 4:54 pm

Well now this is awkward. . .

Damien • on Oct 14, 2010 6:00 pm

hahaha, well played sir.

VanDammit • on Oct 14, 2010 4:42 pm

You missed the point of what he said entirely. Vaughn said that taking the joke out, i.e. CENSORSHIP, is the greater evil. That the joke itself actually brings people together. I agree.

V

flyboy • on Oct 14, 2010 7:30 pm

The greater evil is condemning a joke that makes a joke of people (gay) for who they identify as? REALLY? That’s the greater evil compared to actually, you know, affirming gay people by not believing it’s actually OK to make a joke of them. That statement says everything needed about your mindset.

The joke that’s supposedly here to bring people together, has actually torn people apart. And has been used to tear the gay community down. But you don’t care. Bet you haven’t thought one second about the other side of this issue. Neither has Vince Vaughn, at least this statement doesn’t show he has.

And that’s the problem. There is an absolute lack of respect towards the lives and humanity of LGBT people. None whatsoever.

J.A. • on Oct 14, 2010 8:31 pm

No, the real evil is taking offense to something that has evolved past its original meaning TWICE. As I recall, the word originally meant happy then somehow it got attributed to the homosexual community. Now the word has evolved to mean stupid, lame, or horrible. If the word bothers the homosexual community then they should abolish it from their ranks. Use the word homosexual instead. I don’t recall black people calling themselves N-word Americans. Why would you want to call yourself anything that people find demeaning nowadays. South Park proved this point. Take the word in context, if you find it is aimed to insult specifically and exclusively the homosexual lifestyle then take offense, otherwise let it go. There are better things to fight over in this world then the oversensitivity of a few individuals.

barryearle • on Oct 15, 2010 12:40 pm

Oi vey! There was a time in my life when Blacks weren’t called Blacks. In fact, to call someone black was to be degrogatory toward that person. The Black community consciously decided to use the word black to describe itself as a way to embrace their blackness while defying the racism of the white community. That’s why you could so unconsciously refer to “black people” in your comment, so ingrained has the term become in our culture. And that’s why the homosexual community took the word gay because they were suppose to be so tortured and sad and self-hating. By taking on this word, the community was saying that “homosexuality if okay.”

The fact that our society came to accept Blacks but is still having a problem with homosexuality (particularly male homosexuality) is why the word “gay” has taken on a demeaning aspect, not because the word itself has moved on to other meanings. It is still very definitely attached to our society’s negative feelings about homosexuality. So to argue that the word has somehow become divorced from homosexuality is a complete misunderstanding of why this word is being used as a pejorative. You’re right when you say that the word now means stupid, lame or horrible because in the minds of some people being gay is stupid, lame and horrible. That is because the user is linking his negative feelings about gays to whatever he is calling “gay.” God forbid that object should be a young gay man or woman.

jefcostello • on Oct 14, 2010 4:46 pm

Yes taking a pay check is ok, because when he agrees to make a film he creates hundreds of jobs that provide for countless people. So one gay line in a movie is actually quite good in a socialist kind of way, which is what all you leftist sweeties enjoy right? Shut your face, and go create some jobs because Hussein ain’t doing it.

cookmeyer1970 • on Oct 14, 2010 6:37 pm

No, how about you shut up. Do you really think everyone on here agreeing with Vince Vaughn, including Vince Vaughn, are all conservatives? Stop with this culture war bullshit already. And we realize some of you neo cons are totally obsessed with Obama, but stop bringing him up in forums that are not appropriate for that discussion.

flyboy • on Oct 14, 2010 7:41 pm

Respecting the gay community=leftist. Thanks for telling all of us that social conservatives are all homophobic.

Art • on Oct 14, 2010 5:05 pm

It’s a joke. I agree with Vince.

Cracking jokes about the 800lb gorilla in the room helps the room deal with the damn thing. Ignoring the gorilla just allows the gorilla to sit there stinkin’ up the place.

flyboy • on Oct 14, 2010 7:33 pm

Or maybe, Art, you can address the issue instead of making jokes about it, and trying to ignore it. Maybe if people would actually GET OVER THEIR DISCOMFORT of homosexuality and homosexual persons, then maybe we can have a serious discussion on issues like this, and their lives, thoughts, feelings and humanity will be respected. Maybe if you gave LGBT people one care, and you took them seriously, you wouldn’t need to make fun of how they identify to feel better about yourself. Because they don’t deserve to be denigrated because you are insecure.

Bogle • on Oct 15, 2010 10:45 am

Wahhhh, wahhhhh, oh boo hoooooo, someone said electric cars are gay. Wahhhhhhh. I hear comments like this absolutely everywhere and make them myself. People say things a thousand times worse and the only reason anyone anywhere would boo hoo about it is because they’re hoping to be a victim so they can cry. Had no one said anything and this article didn’t exist, not one of you would likely have been even the slightest bit phased by “electric cars are gay.” Oh boo flippin hoo. You must have a golden life if this is offensive to you. The only thing here that’s gay are the little cry babies who want to pretend that this will trickle down to school yards and little gay children will be attacked. Um…if they were gonna be attacked for being gay, it’s gonna happen (sadly) without this comment. You’re retarded if you think this almost completely unnoticeable joke will have any effect at all…except on those who jump at the chance to complain and show the world just how incredible gay THEY are. Good job tards…mission accomplished. You’re an idiot. …moving on.

barryearle • on Oct 15, 2010 1:42 pm

As I started to write before I accidentally hit the “send” button:

“The only thing here that’s gay are the little cry babies who want to pretend that this will trickle down to school yards and little gay children will be attacked. Um…if they were gonna be attacked for being gay, it’s gonna happen (sadly) without this comment.”

Thanks for proving everyone’s point who sees this joke as being offensive and anti-gay. Let’s start with gays are cry babies. Why do you believe that gays are cry babies? Does standing up and pointing out an issue make someone a cry baby and, therefore, gay? And when you label gays as cry babies, are you saying something positive or are you implying they aren’t manly enough to take the heat? Can’t heterosexual males be cry babies, too? Can’t you be a cry baby? I hear a lot of complaining by straight men (often around sporting events) that I would consider cry baby behavior. So, you might want to look at who you are labeling cry babies. It just might expose a bit of homophobia in your thinking.

Next, if hearing adults make negative comments about gay people doesn’t contribute to bullying in the schoolyard, where do these anti-gay attitudes develop among young people? Are they inherited genetically? As the Rogers and Hammerstein song summarized so succinctly, “You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear.” Babies do not have prejudices against other babies. They learn them from their family, friends and society. By condoning the denigration of the GLBT community with gay jokes in popular entertainment, we teach our children that gay people are ripe for violence. Sorry, you can’t wish away your responsibility in teaching children to hate gays and lesbians.

And finally, speaking about responsibility, using “inevitability” as an excuse for maintaining the status quo is a sad statement of where you are coming from. If you had been in Germany in the 1930s, would you have excused the rounding up of your Jewish neighbors as inevitable and, therefore, you had no responsibility to say or do something? And so today you can excuse the violence toward young men and women as inevitable and, therefore, have no role in stopping it by, say, not telling gay jokes or using the word gay as a pejorative or standing up for the gay community when you hear something making derogatory comments?

In fact, have you ever stood up for any minority community in the face of prejudice? More specifically, have you ever stood up for the gay community in the face of anti-gay comments? Or were you afraid of being called “gay?” If you have ever experienced this fear then you know that the homosexual community is not acting like cry babies when it stands up to prejudice in the face of potential, inevitable violence. Rather, gays and lesbians are couragous and worthy of our–your–respect.

IM RU • on Oct 15, 2010 10:55 pm

The comments on this post are fascinating. Especially the attacks on Flyboy. What gives? My guess is most of the people who aren’t offended by the joke aren’t gay. It’s just a joke. It seems like such an innocuous thing, right? The thing is the joke reinforces the message that it’s okay to use gay in a pejorative way which further marginalizes folks who are gay.

When I saw this trailer in the theater the gay line made me cringe. I don’t remember the particulars of the dialogue but it was essentially “hey we’re making a gay joke– gotcha! It’s not a gay joke! It’s a joke about about making a gay joke which is entirely different, aren’t we clever!”

I am a producer who happens to be a lesbian and it just made me sad that they decided to go there. It’s juvenile, sends the wrong message and just isn’t nice.

I agree that comedy shouldn’t be censored and it is a great way to talk about difficult issues– but that doesn’t mean we should be tone deaf to its impact. It probably didn’t even occur to them that it was a problematic joke because gay jokes are widely viewed as acceptable humor. The thing is, when a joke strikes a nerve with a community there’s probably a reason. Here’s a radical thought: instead of defending the joke and the rights of comedians, just apologize for being insensitive and move along.

For the commenters who say, can’t you take a joke? I offer this. People in the gay community are really, really used to taking jokes. Directly, or indirectly, we’ve been the butt of them most of our lives. I think we’ve grown tired of it. Can’t we all find some new material?

Miguel Barbosa • on Oct 14, 2010 3:27 pm

It’s funny. Gay is not a race, get over it.

flyboy • on Oct 14, 2010 7:34 pm

Straight is not a race either, so I guess straight people should just get over it when gay comedians call you breeders. Breeders, breeders!!!!! And if you don’t like it, too bad, you breeder.

Really? • on Oct 14, 2010 8:04 pm

Really? Breeders? That is not offensive in any way. More often than not, being offended is rooted in insecurity. If you’re not insecure about being strait, the breeders comment has no affect. If you’re not insecure about being gay, this hate-free joke will bounce off as well.

flyboy • on Oct 14, 2010 9:00 pm

Being offended is rooted in insecurity? It may just be rooted in being sensitive to the feelings of yourself and others. Or it could be having some pride, and getting offended at others denigrating you. Yeah, but of course when you are NOT being mocked for your sexuality, it’s hard to understand.

Telling a 31 year old man to have this “joke” bounce off them is much different than telling a 13 year old kid to laugh at his sexuality being used as a catch-all for everything and anything wrong and negative. That’s where you don’t seem to be getting where the issue is. But I’m not surprised, you are a breeder, and sadly, many breeders don’t seem to give one iota of a thought of the lives and humanity of LGBT citizens.

Jack • on Oct 14, 2010 10:45 pm

Insecure comes from getting the crap beaten out of you by “straight” guys at school. Tends to leave a mark and makes it a bit more difficult to “get over” than you might think.

santa • on Oct 15, 2010 5:54 am

Not true. Getting the snot knocked out of you comes from not standing up for yourself and making people know there will be pain & consequences for raising a hand to you.

Doesn’t matter if you are gay, straight, purple, or orange. It is an animal dominance things. Show that you are dominant and no one cares to fuck with you.

Censorship doesn’t solve bullying, ass-beatings do.

All you have to do is look to the animal kingdom to see that.

Hey Anderson • on Oct 15, 2010 2:22 am

YOUR MOTHER IS A BREEDER!

Gays were once the Kings – and Queens – of Irony, Camp and Sarcasm. Now you bite your knuckle and flee the movie theater when somebody makes a mildly sarcastic joke.

What would John Waters say?

Jenn • on Oct 15, 2010 12:24 pm

I understand the point you are trying to make but being called a “breeder” but a gay comedian is funny. Being called a “breeder” by a straight comedian is funny too. I think you would need to find a stronger offense for others to see your point. However, straight people are the majority and it maybe hard to offend them. Think of it like finding the white equivalent of the N-word. It’s difficult.

AK • on Oct 14, 2010 9:31 pm

No it’s not a race, but it is something you are born with, i.e. it’s not a choice. Does anyone choose to be Latino? White? straight? So in that sense it’s similar, and why it is a civil rights issue today. Nobody should have to be made second class or feel inferior for something they are born with by the dominant classes. That’s the beauty of America’s promise of equality for everyone.

SeanOcali • on Oct 14, 2010 11:54 pm

“Gay is not a race.” That’s your response? Are you kidding. That’s the dumbest effing thing I’ve ever heard. Do you actually think hate begins and ends with race? You know what else isn’t a race? Cracker. That’s right, cracker does not mean a white person. It means someone like you.

Anonymous • on Oct 14, 2010 3:28 pm

Lol- pc gone nuts! It was bad enough cutting it from the trailer, if they cut it from the film they are crazy! Bet they will have it in the DVD no matter what. And the prius is gay!

flyboy • on Oct 14, 2010 7:40 pm

PC gone nuts, huh? Is it PC to show respect towards gay people? Is it PC to not denigrate their sexuality? I guess so. It’s PC to actually, you know, not make fun of people who are gay? And to stand up against people who use how some people identify as, as a joke against them? Thanks for showing how much respect you have towards LGBT citizens—none.

Anonymous • on Oct 14, 2010 3:29 pm

Damage control??? Gimme a break!

bobbyc • on Oct 14, 2010 3:30 pm

Still don’t see the big deal here. If we’re allowed to assign sexes to things like cars or the sea, we should also be allowed to assign sexualities. SUV’s are straight. Electric cars are gay. See? Easy.

AB • on Oct 14, 2010 3:31 pm

“Comedy and joking about our differences breaks tension and brings us together.” Rrrright.

chardday • on Oct 14, 2010 3:32 pm

Hear hear, Vince. Where were you during Michael Richards’ persecution?

val • on Oct 14, 2010 3:33 pm

Vince is right. The gay groups need to stop talking about bullying like they are the only ones. They are in the news right now but kids who aren’t gay get bullied too. Anderson Cooper and Ellen have a lot of nerve trying to censor what we can and cannot say. Vince may have put this line in himself and there is no reason for damage control because over 80% of Americans say there is nothing wrong with what he said. The only people who are damaged are the homosexuals who have a problem with humor. Electric cars are GAY!

flyboy • on Oct 14, 2010 7:54 pm

Really? The gay groups need to stop discussing the REALITY that gay kids and even STRAIGHT kids are being bullied, with the SAME terms that Vince Vaughn used in his movie? They should stop talking about it, huh. They should stop acting like it’s a big deal. As 9 LGBT teens have committed suicide in the last month.

Yup, Anderson and Ellen have some nerve in trying to protect the gay community from verbal abuse. How dare they?!!!! I mean, come on, f*gs are f*gs, right? We can say what we want about them, it’s not like anyone REALLY cares what they think. Stop whining, and get back in your place, you are still second class.

Kids who are straight get bullied too, but kids who are gay have a suicide rate 4 times higher, and kids who are straight are bullied with the use of gay as an insult as much as many gay kids. That’s the whole point. And no, you don’t speak for 80% of Americans. And God help us if you do. I don’t think 80% of Americans are COMPLETELY insensitive, uncaring, and lacking in respect of the LGBT community.

But hey, glad to know you don’t care about making a joke of gay people. And using how they identify as, as a catch-all for everything negative. Hopefully you are equally as glad in knowing people like you are DIRECTLY TO BLAME FOR THE DEPRESSION AND SUICIDES OF GAY KIDS AT THE HANDS OF ANTI-GAY VERBAL ABUSE. Congrats, you have blood on your hands.

hyperbole for the win • on Oct 15, 2010 9:35 am

I think you’re being a little too hyperbolic here flyboy in saying that people who disagree with you are directly to blame for depression and suicide.

With greater cultural significance and greater acceptance in society, there comes a level of stereotypes and degradation that happen. I don’t think other groups are calling for flat out bans on the use of their respective offensive slurs, because as you become prominent, people are going to say stupid shit.

“Oh he N***er-rigged something”, “don’t Jew me out of that”, “that’s so gay”

while these terms are all inherently based in degradation, English constantly evolves and it’s possible that the words have moved beyond that, despite your objections.

Straight white men are made fun of constantly – do you think I want my representation to be Kevin James and his idiocy? or Vince Vaughn? Stereotyping and offense happen when you become a prominent part of society.

He easily could say: “Ron, these lines are offensive. This is something I’m not comfortable joking about. I think you should change the script. Think about who you could be hurting.”

He could EASILY have done that, but I guess it’s all about money, and not about having convictions or morals. I guess that’s why people like you are defending the usage of anti-gay messages.

flyboy • on Oct 14, 2010 7:58 pm

Great to know it’s all about money with people like you. He could EASILY say: “You know what, Ron? I don’t want to say this, man. These lines are offensive, I can’t support this. Think about the people you will be hurting.”

How dare he? Yeah, how dare he come to the defense of anti-gay messages. True. And how dare you for using these terms.

He didn’t NEED to say these things. He didn’t NEED to accept these lines. He choose to. And he is choosing to defend it. And that’s why people are choosing to condemn him for him permitting homophobic speech.

reader • on Oct 15, 2010 1:10 am

vaughn probably shot that scene a year ago. and at that time, there was not a hint of any controversy about anti-gay jokes in mainstream movies contributing to the bullying of gay teens. and what about similar versions of this joke told in “role models”, “the 40 year old virgin”, “the hangover”, etc.? all big hits, all controversy-free, at least regarding that joke. not a peep from anyone, i recall. no one condemning the actors for selling out and endorsing anti-gay messages in their movies.

this joke looks to me like a throwaway line in a throwaway movie. it makes for a poor target for people’s justifiable outrage at the injustice of bullying, and as a consequence diminishes the significance of their outrage.

Shirley • on Oct 14, 2010 11:00 pm

“God, you’re gay”.

Wow. So mature. People like you are the reason why gay teens across the nation are killing themselves. Disgusting.

what everyone everywhere else is thinking • on Oct 15, 2010 5:45 am

Cry about it…keep focusing on minutia people…Hollywood is made of crybabies and self-importance.

Guess what? NO ONE CARES! Just dance for me!

santa • on Oct 15, 2010 5:59 am

Gay teens are killing themselves across the nation because they don’t counselling on how to feel good about themselves.

No one kills themselves because they feel good about who they are. They kill themselves due to feelings which are internal and may be changed. Or they kill themselves due to brain chemical imbalances that may be corrected.

It has nothing to do with your sexual partner.

My take • on Oct 14, 2010 3:36 pm

To be honest, it wasn’t a funny joke and I can see why people are upset.

With that said, I just feel like GLAAD needs to calm down a bit and look at the big picture. They shouldn’t ask Ron Howard to cut out the scene and I don’t think Ron should. If that’s the case, then they should cut out scenes from ‘Knocked Up’ and the rest of the Apatow films, along with The Hangover. But where does it stop?

And heck, I don’t think gay people mind the jokes from the Apatow movies because they have..a sense of humor.

I just don’t want this to become a witch hunt. In the end, you gotta have some thick skin. Comedy is a commentary on life, and the whole point is to ‘make fun’. But you gotta have a sense of humor about it and not go on a warpath. Just like with the tragic events of Colonbine. There were religious groups wanting to ban movies like The Matrix and even Die Hard. You don’t wanna go there where good intentions becomes toxic.

flyboy • on Oct 14, 2010 8:07 pm

It’s called context. There is a difference between JOKING WITH something and someone, and MAKING A JOKE of something. That’s the difference here. There were ABSOLUTELY no good intentions when Ron Howard included these lines in his script. They are homophobic, and they were meant to make a joke of all things gay. You want the gay community to laugh at someone making a joke of who they identify as? Should American black men laugh when someone calls them Africans? Should the unemployed laugh if someone says that they are all lazy and worthless? Should people just LAUGH when who they are is made fun of and made a joke of? I don’t think so.

Here’s the thing people like you don’t relate to or realize. The gays have feelings, and they have dignity, and they aren’t going to just have their lives and who they identify as mocked and used as a catch-all for everything negative. They aren’t going to just stand back as they are disrespected. Nor should they. And if Ron Howard had even a SLICE of respect towards the LGBT community, he would admit the errors of his ways and cut this offensive line from the movie, a line used to verbally taunt and abuse gay and straight kids worldwide every day. Allowing this line in the movie empowers and validates the term, especially since it’s coming from an A-list movie actor. Telling the gay community to have “thick skin” is essentially saying it’s the gay kids’ fault he feels depressed after he is abused verbally for his sexuality.

Instead of BLAMING THE VICTIM, we need to ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

But the truth is, people like you aren’t living in the shoes of the gay community, and don’t even think of trying to understand their point of views. And that’s the problem. The lack of respect towards the LGBT community.

script concerns • on Oct 15, 2010 9:39 am

Maybe this joke is important to the script.

In a movie, there are unlikable characters. Often times, they grow to become a likable character. This could easily be evidence of his character doing something undesirable.

In “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry,” both main characters were terribly homophobic a the outset of the movie, using hateful terms, but they overcame their bigotry and grew as people.

Art is Art, even in the lowest brow of forms, like this movie and Chuck and Larry, but it’s still art. You cannot tell the artist to censor when whatever offends you may have been placed to make a specific point.

Stan • on Oct 14, 2010 3:40 pm

Vaughn is delusional.

rocky • on Oct 14, 2010 3:48 pm

Well said Vince. This pc stuff is out of hand.

No need to apologize or put out disclaimers either unless you’re doing a Seinfeld spoof which you could then add “not that there’s anything wrong with that” to ALL the jokes since almost all make fun of someone or something that anyone looking hard enough can find something offensive about it.

flyboy • on Oct 14, 2010 8:16 pm

Showing the respect not to use how people identify as, as a catch-all for things negative and use against them=P.C.

Thanks for proving the lack of respect you have towards the gay community, just like Vince Vaughn proved with his comments. The one good thing about this debate is we see how pervasive homophobia is. Now it’s time to make steps to ELIMINATE it for the blight on society and humanity it is.

BRosen • on Oct 14, 2010 3:48 pm

I personally hate when anyone uses words like “gay” or “fag” freely and thoughtlessly, but can we face the reality of the situation here?

It’s a MOVIE. Fiction, as it were. And just as those banners read on DVDs, the views expressed do not reflect the opinions of the studio or any of the people involved. It’s a fictional character speaking in his character’s voice. If the character would speak in this manner, then let him.

So as much as we might dislike the use of this word in this manner, I completely support Vaughn’s statement. It’s comedy. It’s a movie. Let it go.

flyboy • on Oct 14, 2010 8:13 pm

You are completely missing the point entirely. This is way more than just a movie. It’s a reflection of society that Ron Howard thinks this joke would be acceptable to the public. And that he thinks it’s funny. It’s a reflection of the hearts and minds of people like Ron Howard—making a joke of, and making fun of gay people is acceptable. This is more than a movie. It’s a product seen by MILLIONS of people WORLDWIDE. It’s one of the “best” punchlines in the movie. The trailer was built around this “joke”. The anti-gay term is essentially been parroted as the funniest part of the film. Don’t you realize the message this sends? That a famous actor and producer is essentially telling the public “hey, you guys are going to laugh at this, when we use gay as a catch-all for everything negative!” Don’t you realize that power that a movie can have on people who watch it? It validates the language. It makes it acceptable to use it, makes it acceptable to make a joke of gay people, and not take them seriously. It makes it acceptable to denigrate their identity.

It’s not acceptable, BRosen. And if you disliked the use of the word gay in an offensive manner, you would NEVER defend the usage of the term how it’s used in this movie. Shame on you, you should know better.

Cindy • on Oct 14, 2010 3:48 pm

Of course, he misses the point: it DOESN’T stop, it can’t if we’re going to keep working toward ending the abuse that takes place because of differences. Any comment or word that offends one group negates the “comedy” it presents to another. It’s called a cheap shot.

Be careful. If comedy can never be at anyone’s expense, the Jonus Brothers will be the funniest show on TV.

flyboy101 • on Oct 14, 2010 8:23 pm

There is a difference between joking and making a joke of. Try to comprehend the differences, and then come back when you realize why one isn’t offensive, and one is.

PB • on Oct 15, 2010 9:02 am

SInce when has comedy not been offensive?

goodforvince • on Oct 14, 2010 3:53 pm

i’m not a VV fan, but I agree with him on this. Enough with all the PC bs already. It’s out of control. You can’t say anything without offending someone anymore. Also, it’s a movie, what about freedom of speech. If you don’t like it, quit bitching about it, and just don’t pay to see the film.

flyboy • on Oct 14, 2010 8:26 pm

Respect for the gay community and their desire not to have their sexual identification used as a catch-all for everything negative=P.C.

Thanks for proving you have absolutely no respect for the LGBT community.

Freedom of speech works both ways. He says something offensive, others have the right to call it offensive, and call for action against the offenders. There are consequences for your actions. That’s life. If you don’t like that, you quit bitching, because telling others how to feel isn’t going to happen.

flyboy, I feel the diffference here is that the comments you are making towards the people defending VV are full of hate displaced as anger. the line in the movie is not based on hate or animosity towards LGBT however, that is clearly how you are feeling it. granted it may be used in a steryo-typical, cave-dweller manner but I feel it is ok to say b/c it is not out of hate. is it a stupid, carless line, not in my book but it might be in yours. anger is due to a lack of exposure and open discussion yet, here in the boards, the messages from both sides seem to be filled with anger b/c no one wants to say, “yeah I guess I can see it that way.” we have not gotten past the deeper issues as a society.

Do you not understand that his line is doing exactly what he says comedy can do. right now there is anger over the line, and people have the right to agree to disagree over this little tiny issue. but the discussion that follows, once the hate then anger is gone and more people are exposed to open to this topic of discussion with thoses who have suffered b/c of orientation, will move the big picture forward.

I applaude you picking every battle to fight, sooner or later you will win the war. and while you are justified to feel outrage b/c EVERYONE’s feeling count, the war you wage will not be won until it is fought without hate. anger is fine. anger moves. anger motivates. anger can be voiced and listened to by individuals. hate, however will not.

santa • on Oct 15, 2010 6:01 am

herpes is an equal opportunity infection, ignoramus. that is as intelligent a comeback as saying get AIDS & die. Both are kind of vile.

well • on Oct 15, 2010 9:42 am

maybe you should stick to your day job. the jokes aren’t too good

not offensive mind you, but just not very funny

gia • on Oct 15, 2010 12:54 pm

They’re just as funny as “Electric cars are so gay”. Are you amused yet?

richie • on Oct 14, 2010 3:56 pm

Very easy for a straight, white, rich guy to say… try being on the receiving end of gay bullying – as most gay people in American have been – and then say the same thing

Plus let’s be honest here – it wasn’t a very good ‘joke’… if it had been funny and clever I’m sure there would have been a lot less outrage… but it was just lazy and lame… much like the film itself appears to be…

Jim • on Oct 14, 2010 3:56 pm

I think you missed the point entirely, Francois.

Rusty • on Oct 14, 2010 4:01 pm

You obviously did not read his quote correctly.

Censorship Watchdog • on Oct 14, 2010 4:01 pm

TrueFaux, did you even read the comment? He’s saying he thinks that movies shouldn’t be censored, not that they should. I support him 110%. Vaughn’s films have always had people from different backgrounds and the comedy is always spread about evenly. He makes fun of himself more than anyone! He’s completely right, slippery slope to censorship. When a group of people (whatever their race, sex, or sexual preference) demand to be treated differently than everyone else then that LEADS to segregation and division, as he so aptly points out. True diversity comes when we don’t have to point out to anyone or remind them that someone needs to be treated differently because of any reason other than their character as a person.

flyboy • on Oct 14, 2010 8:38 pm

Absolute rubbish. Please come off the pedestal for a second preacher, and get real with the situation. It is NOT embracing diversity by making a joke of an entire community by using how they identify as a catch-all for everything negative. That is NOT true diversity. That is NOT respect. To say the gay community is demanding to be treated differently? Um, maybe you are blind to reality, but Michael Richards just a couple of years ago went through hell for using the N-word. People are being destroyed in the media for their anti-Muslim sentiments. One of the aides of governor-hopeful Jerry Brown in California used the word wh*re in addressing his opponent Meg Whitman and was lambasted. But in this country, you have actors and media literally DEFENDING the usage of gay as an insult and as a negative.

The only thing separating and dividing communities is the fact it’s OK to mock the gay community but not OK to do so against other groups. The only thing separating and dividing communities is the lack of respect many heterosexuals have towards those who are homosexual. You want to talk about censorship? How about common decency and respect? Guess that’s too much to ask for if you are gay.

dwayne o • on Oct 14, 2010 4:03 pm

It’s a sensible point made by VV… I’m a bit surprised it’s so efficiently said.

BLAZING SADDLES is the example to follow. Pushing boundaries is a part of the game.

It was, however, apparently not a wise choice to market the movie with that line.

Realistically, the current climate is fairly repressive at the studio level when it comes to content. It’s too bad that political correctness over watchwords is on the table again.

flyboy • on Oct 14, 2010 8:44 pm

P.C.=Showing respect towards the LGBT community in not using how they identify as against them as a catch-all for everything negative.

Just after the young man committed suicide at Rutgers a few
days later I went to see the movie EASY A. It didnt offend me, but I felt uncomfortable as to the movie poking fun at homosexuals. havent heard any outcry about it. Maybe I am completely wrong about it. It wouldnt be the first time. But did anyone else see the movie and care to comment. I see why they picked Emma Stone
for the role in Spiderman.

Lexx2 • on Oct 14, 2010 4:09 pm

It really depends on context. Family Guy makes gay jokes all the time, but usually to highlight the absurdity of homophobia, or closeted hypocrisy. I suspect this is much ado about very little, and that GLAAD may have scored an own goal in this respect. Now, a whole lot of right-wingers are screaming “leftist censorship”, while the film itself might end up attracting an unwanted audience of homophobes.

John • on Oct 14, 2010 4:14 pm

You missed the point “Mr. truefaux.” What he is saying is that we should all be able to joke about our differences. I personally think GLAAD needs to take a chill pill about this one because that is not offensive to the gay community at all. It’s called a joke and people need to lighten up. Kudos to Vaughn for standing up for the joke, and a funny one at that.

flyboy • on Oct 14, 2010 8:49 pm

The fact you find it a joke and funny to use how gay people identify as, as a joke and a catch-all for anything and everything negative, makes you as homophobic as Vince Vaughn. Which is pretty homophobic.

And for you to have the AUDACITY to tell GLAAD or ANY gay person “it’s not offensive.” Excuse me, they didn’t ask you, you are NOT gay, and you do NOT have the perspective nor do you even TRY to relate or understand their point of view. Who are you to tell them what they should be feeling? That right there is the height of entitlement and arrogance, which is one of the main reasons why people defend the use of terms like this. Heterosexuals who believe they are above homosexual persons. And that’s exactly the problem. The lack of respect towards the gay community.

There is a difference between a joke and making a joke of. Learn to comprehend this, and then come back when you have something intelligent to add to the discussion.